Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy
On The September 11 Victim Compensation Fund Extension Act Amendment
November 25, 2003
This is the time of year when we begin hearing
the daily countdown of the shopping days left until the holidays.
But for thousands of the families victimized by terrorists on
September 11, a much more somber countdown is underway.
December 22 is the filing deadline for
eligibility for the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. And for
these families, that deadline is rushing up as a phantom that bears
the most painful memories any of us can imagine. By the last count
40 percent of an estimated 3000 families who’s loved ones were
killed had not yet filed, and hundreds more who were injured are
also in jeopardy of losing this help.
Faced with the mounting evidence that a large
proportion of families are having difficulty coming to grips with
their losses, in September I worked with Senator Lautenberg, Senator
Durbin, Senator Schumer, Senator Dodd, Senator Lieberman and Senator
Corzine in introducing this bill to extend the deadline for filing
applications to December 31 next year. This would ensure the
hundreds of victims who have been unable to take the painful steps
required to compile information needed for a Fund application do not
lose their rightful opportunity to do so.
In a recent survey conducted by the National
Center for Crime Victims, 87 percent of the September 11 victims who
have not yet applied to the Fund expressed strong support for
extending the deadline by one year. Victims support groups tell me
that they are still receiving calls daily from individuals who
understand that the deadline is approaching but cannot face the pain
of preparing a claim. Special Master Feinberg has also commented
that many victims are still too paralyzed by their grief to confront
the logistical burden and emotional pain of filing a death claim.
This extension would provide grieving families
with additional time to mourn those who were lost and to overcome
the emotional challenges of filing an application for compensation.
Every single September 11 victims support group that I am aware of
agrees that such an extension would provide important relief during
these dark days for victims’ families.
We have tried and tried to get action on our
bill, and now not just the families’ time, but also the Senate’s
time, is quickly running out. Our bill now has been cleared for
Senate passage by the Democratic members of the Senate.
In the aftermath of September 11th,
congressional leaders came together to lead the way to enactment of
this Fund. These families need that same kind of cooperation from
us now. We urge our Republican colleagues to clear this bill so it
can be acted on before we adjourn.
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